Plans for new flats at two prominent sites in Inverness city centre could be approved next week.
Tulloch Homes have sought permission to bring a long derelict site at Glebe Street on the banks of the River Ness as a £12million apartment block.
And Inverness Properties have also applied to build a block of new flats for 100 students at Rose Street.
Both plans are due to go before councillors next week – and planning officials have recommended that both are approved.
Tulloch hope to build their block of 60 two-bedroom flats on the site of the city’s former swimming baths, which have lain vacant since 1997.
The site sits
The developer said that it has been designed to maximise the views from the apartments along the river and northwards towards Ben Wyvis.
However, five objections, including from the Inverness Civic Trust, were received against the project, raising concerns about the proposed building’s seven-storey height and design.
Tulloch have described the site as an “excellent location” for new homes in the city centre.
They say that the development has “significant potential to help regenerate the city centre”.
Meanwhile Inverness Properties’ plan for Rose Street involves building a five-storey 86ft block on the existing Rose Street Hall and car deck, which would both be demolished.
The plans include provision for 75 parking spaces, as well as three shops and a restaurant on the ground floor.
Objections were received from a member of the public and from Inverness Civic Trust, which raised concern about the “unsophisticated and repetitive” design.
City centre agency Inverness Bid gave their backing to the plans with chairman Craig Duncan saying it was “essential” to increase footfall in the area.
Planning officer Nicola Drummond has recommended approval for both projects.
She said the Rose Street plan had addressed concern about previous plans for the site, while the Glebe Street development “represents an opportunity to deliver development on a site which has lain vacant for a considerable period and to provide a significant number of residential units to the benefit of the city centre”.